2-1 Cav. Div. makes historic landing in the Port of Vlissingen
U.S. Army story by Sgt. Kyle Larsen
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
PORT OF VLISSINGEN, Netherlands – Soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, became the first unit in recent memory to utilize the Port of Vlissingen, Netherlands. A team of Soldiers, Army civilians and local-national port professionals, unloaded the first shipment of U.S. Army armored equipment in the early hours of Oct. 11, 2019.
The 598th Transportation Brigade is overseeing this port operation, along with near simultaneous Atlantic Resolve operations in 8 different seaports across Europe during October. The scale of this mission reflects the Brigade’s ability to conduct seaport operations and strategic surface movements that project combat power globally.
The Port of Vlissingen is the first main juncture point of the transportation operation through Europe in support of 2-1 Cav. Division’s arrival for Atlantic Resolve. Other port operations the transportation brigade will oversee, include ports in Poland, Latvia, Belgium, Greece and Romania.
“Throughout the month, we are conducting port operations in support of the deployment of an armored brigade combat team and combat aviation brigade from the continental United States,” said Col. Jin Pak, brigade commander of the 598th Transportation Brigade. “It’s a demonstration of how we support United States Army Europe’s commitment to our allies here in Europe and our ability to deploy combat credible forces.”
This marks the first of three shipments to the port that brings 2,225 pieces of equipment from Fort Hood, Texas, to the Atlantic Resolve areas of operation to demonstrate the ability of U.S. Army Europe to facilitate the quick assemblance of forces to deter aggression from potential adversaries.
As one of the premier armored brigades, 2nd ABCT is the 5th rotation of a U.S. Army armored brigade in support of Atlantic Resolve and will deploy approximately 3,500 Soldiers, 85 tanks, 120 Bradley fighting vehicles, 15 Paladins, 500 tracked vehicles, 1200 wheeled vehicles and pieces of equipment and 300 trailers. This amassing of forces across the region displays the U.S. Army’s readiness, cross border military mobility and speed of assembly.
The transportation brigade will coordinate the movement of the armored brigade’s equipment from the port using a range of transportation methods. This includes low-barge, rail-head, line-haul and convoy operations, as 2nd ABCT begins their nine-month rotational deployment in support of Atlantic Resolve.
“The significance of using the low-barge, is it enhances readiness in the European region by introducing another method of movement to the Atlantic Resolve mission,” said Cpl. Dustin Jobe, the noncommissioned officer in charge of lifting provisions, 647th Expeditionary Terminal Operations Element.
Throughout the armored brigade’s rotation in support of Atlantic Resolve, they will enhance multinational capabilities and cohesion with NATO Allies and military partners. They will consolidate as a brigade to participate in exercises, such as Dynamic Front and Combined Resolve, demonstrating the full capabilities of an armored brigade and enhancing the region’s combat credible forces.